Mixing apparatus



Jan. 24, 1950 w. w. JONES MIXING APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 31, 1945 Jan. 24, 1950 w. w. JONES 2,495,242

MIXING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 31, 1945 e Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR WENDELL W. JONES Jan 24, 1950 w. w. JONES 2,495,242

MIXING APPARATUS 6 SheetsSheec 5 Filed Oct. 51, 1945 INVENTOR WENDELL W- JONES Jan. 24, 1950 w. w. JONES MIXING APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed 0012.. 31, 1945 fig. 4.

INVENTOR WENDELL W. JONES lllllll I Jan. 24, 1950 w. w. JONES MIXING APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct, 51. 1945 NVE NTOR WENDELLW- JONES Jan. 24, 1950 w. w. JONES MIXING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 31, 1945 N N I m m 1 III I III 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 WENDELL w. JONES Patented Jan. 24, 1950 MIXING APPARATUS Wendell W. Jones, Aspinwall, Pa., assignor to Armstrong Cork Company, Lancaster, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application October 31, 1945, Serial No. 625,827

9 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for mixing plastic materials and, in particular, to mixing apparatus adapted to handle relatively heavy, highly viscous mixes involving the application of a substantial amount of power and developing high pressure in the mix.

Mixing apparatus of various types has long been known. No mixer now available, however, has proved entirely satisfactory for handling certain classes of materials which are notoriously difficult to mix. Machines for handling asphalt-tile mixes, for example, have usually been adapted from machines originally designed for other materials and the inherent limitations thereof have prevented the processing of asphalttile mix with the speed and efficienc desired.

The apparatus used heretofore for heavy viscous mixes, such as that for making asphalt tile, have been subject to excessively high maintenance costs in regular operation and have required periodic reconstruction. The result of the operation of known machines, furthermore, has not been as good as desired from the standpoint of uniformity of dispersion of the various components of the mix, leaving out of consideration any question of efficiency or the time required.

I have invented a novel mixing apparatus which overcomes the above defects of previously known mixers and is characterized by further novel features and advantages which will be explained during the following detailed description of the invention. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus of my invention comprises a mixing chamber including a pair of parallel substantially cylindrical compartments disposed side by side and in partly overlapping or intersecting relation, i. e., so that they open into each other throughout a portion of their circumference. The chamber is preferably defined by two spaced semi-cylindrical body casings, and two opposed reciprocable closures in the form of rams movable into and out of bridging position relative to the body casings. Two spaced side members define the ends of the mixing chamber, the body casings extending between the side members and being secured thereto. Shafts disposed coaxially with the cylindrical compartments are provided with stirrers or mixing blades. The rams reciprocate in guide boxes along a path normal to the plane containing the shaft axes. The upper ram has a breaker block extending into the space between the paths of the outermost portions of the stirrers. A charging opening leading into the chamber is uncovered on retraction of the upper ram. The contents of the mixing chamber fall freely therefrom on retraction of the lower ram through an opening in the guide box of the latter.

A complete understanding of the invention may be had from the following detailed description in which additional novel features will be pointed out by reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment. Certain of the features disclosed herein, however, are the sole invention of Leroy Eaby and are also disclosed and claimed in his copending application Serial No. 625,791, filed October 31, 1945, for

' mixing apparatus.

In the drawings,

Figure 1 is an elevation of the apparatus;

Figure 2 is a side elevation taken from the left in Figure 1 with parts in section;

Figure 3 is a central section taken along the plane of line IIIIII of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a transverse section through the upper ram taken along the plane of line IV-IV of Figure 5;

Figure 5 is a partial section taken longitudinally through the upper ram along the plane of line VV of Figure 3 Figures 6 and 7 are views corresponding respectively to Figures 4 and 5, showing sections taken on line VI-VI of Fig. '7 and line VII-VII of Fig. 3; and V Figure 8 is a partial section taken through the chamber on the plane of line VIIIVIII of Figure 2 which contains the axes of the stirrer shafts.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, the apparatus of my invention includes spaced parallel side members l0 and i i having feet i2 adapted to be bolted to a suitable foundation. Seats 13 are formed on the side plates for receiving and supporting thereon bearing pedestals hi and i5. Stirrer shafts l6 and I! are journaled in outboard roller bearings 68 and i9, respectively, carried by the pedestals M and H5. The shafts l6 and H are parallel and lie in a plane making an angle of about 45 with the horizontal. The shafts have stirrers or blades 20 and 2! thereon. These stirrers rotate with the shafts in the mixing chamber 22.

The mixin chamber 22 is defined by spaced upper and lower semi-cylindrical body casings 23 and 24 extending between the side members l0 and H and bolted thereto through flanges 25. The remainder of the wall of the mixing chamber is constituted by an upper ram 26 and a lower ram 21, both of Which are normally positioned as shown in solid lines in Figure 3 but are retractible to the positions shown in chain lines. The ram It is rectangular in section, as shown in Figure 4, and reciprocates in a guide box defined by a spacer 28 and a cooperating spacer extension 23a integral with the upper body casing 23. The spacer 28 and extension 23a are bolted to the side members It and I I through marginal flanges. A charging spout 29 is formed at the lower end of the extension 23a.

The body casings 23 and 24 have pipe coils 30 and 3! cast therein for the circulation of a heating or cooling medium. The coils terminate at terminal bosses 32, 33 and 34 which are tapped for the connection of supply and return pipes, hoses or the like. The terminal bosses on the casing 24 have locations slightly different. from those on the casing 23 and are designated by the same reference numeral with the sufiix a. The upper ram 26 has a breaker block 26a on the inner end thereof projecting into the space between the paths of the tips of the wings of the stirrers 20 and 2| to improve the mixing action thereof.

The ram 26 is reciprocated in its guide box by a hydraulic piston and cylinder 35. The, inner end of the cylinder is secured to a plate 36 mounted on spaced bridging channels 31 extending between the side members ill and H and secured thereto by angle brackets 38. A piston rod 32 extends from the cylinder and is threaded into a central boss 40 on the upper side of the ram. A pipe coil 4! is cast in the ram and inlet and outlet connections therefor are provided by pipes 42 and 43 threaded into the ram and slid-able through holes in one of two plates 44 extendingv between the channels 31 on opposite sides of the cylinder 35. Terminal fittings 42a and 4.311 afford connections for flexible conduits such as hose. The ram 26 has stop keys 45 which travel in slots 45a (see Figure 5) in the side members to and Il.

The lower body casing 24 is secured to a hinge bracket 41 by screws 41a extending through cooperating seating surfaces 48 and 49 on, the, plate and bracket. The bracket swings on a horizontal shaft 50 which passes through bearings 51 secured to the spacer 28 near the upper end, thereof. When the bolts passing through the flange 25 of the casing 24 have been removed, the casing and bracket may be swung to the position shown in chain lines in Figure 3 by a fluid pressure cylinder-and-piston 52. The cylinder is trunnioned at 53 to the bracket and the piston rod is pivoted at 54 to the spacer 28. It will ordinarily not be necessary to swing the casing 24 outwardly for routine inspection and maintenance. An opening is provided in the spacer 28. near the lower end for this purpose. This opening is normally closed by a cover plate 55 hinged to the spacer 28 at 55a.

The guide box for the lower ram 21 is defined by upper and lower spacers 56 and 51. extend ing between the side members I ll and H, the spacers having flanges whereby they are bolted to the side members. The lower ram, like the upper, is rectangular, and has a filler block 58 on the inner end thereof. It also has a pipe coil cast therein provided with supply and return connections similar to those. described for the ram 26. The ram 21 is actuated by a cylinder-and-piston 59 mounted in the same manner as cylinder 35. The lower ram also has guide and stop keys 60 on opposite sides thereof as shown in Figure 7. These lugs travel in slots 6| in the side members if) and ll.

Certain of the components of they mix for which the apparatus is adapted will be in a fine state of subdivision when charged into the chamber 22. In order to prevent particles of such matesemi-cylindrical body casings 23 and 24.

rials from floating out through the joints between the rams 26 and 21 and the body casings 23 and 2t, I provide the rams with peripheral sealing grooves 26b and 21b adjacent their inner ends. I also provide passages 23b and 230 in the body casing 23 communicating with said grooves whereby a fluid sealing medium such as grease may be delivered thereto when the rams have been moved inwardly to the positions shown in solid lines in Figure 3. The grease may be delivered by any convenient dispensing system usually including a pump, a drive therefor and suitable connections between the pump and the inlet passages.

The spacers 56 and 51 terminate short of the This provides a discharge opening 63 on the lower side and an access or inspection opening 64 on the upper side of the mixer.

The breaker block 26a is secured to the ram 26 by longitudinal screws 65 and transverse screws 8.5a passing through an outwardly extending flange 66 on each side of the lock. The filler block 58 is similarly secured to the ram 27. Semi cylindrical liners 5 1 are secured to the body 025- ings 23 and 2% by screws 53 passing through outwardly extending flanges 69 (see Figure 8'). The

breaker and filler blocks and liners 6.! preferably have an abrasion-resistant surface formed the-re The side members ii) and H are provided with removable end covers 19 and ii overlying the ends of the chamber 22 and corresponding thereto in shape. The covers are secured to. the side mem. bers by stud bolts 12. and are provided on the interior with removable liner plates 13' secured by screws [4 (see Figure 8)..

Stuillng boxes [5 are formed in the covers 10 and H for closing the clearance between them and the shafts l5 and H, each stuffing box beingprovided with a gland it.

Each of the shafts l6 and l'l has an axial bore 18 extending thereinto from the end opposite the driving end. A pipe 79 extends through a stuffing box 80 secured to the end of each shaft. A return pipe 8| extends through the pipe 55 and into the bore 18 from a fitting 82. Suitable connections (not shown) extend from'the ttings 82 to a source of heating or cooling fluid. The fittings and pipes l9 and 8| remain stationary, of course, while the shafts and their tuiiing boxes 8i! re- Volve.

The stirrers 2D and 25 are keyedto the shafts l6 and l! and the latter are preferably driven at slightly difierent speed in opposite directions (as indicated by the arrows in Figure 3) by a, suitable motor through a conventional pinion stand. Either the upper or lower shaft may be driven at the higher speed, preferably the lower one.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that the invention provides a mixing apparatus of high efficiency compared to machines known previously, from the standpoint of the power consumed, the size of the charge, the time required for the mixing of the charge and the degree of intimacy of dispersion obtained. The apparatus is. thus particularly suited for processing mixes used in the manufacture of asphalt tile but is also. capable of handlin other mixes such as. those from which linoleum is made. The apparatus is characterized by easy and speedy charging and discharging. Ready access to all parts of the apparatus is afforded for inspection and cleaning. The. apparatus requires but little maintenance even though the mixes it is intended to handle are quite abrasive. Thewearing surfaces, such as the breaker and filler blocks, the liners 61, 13 are renewable, as well as the stirrer blades themselves.

The entire mixing chamber is formed by four sections, 1. e., the body casings 23 and 24 and the upper and lower rams 26 and 21, together with the end covers it in the side plates l0 and H. By thus forming the mixing chamber of two semicylindrical casings and the two rams, the upper one having a breaker block, the machining and assembling of the parts is made easy, as well as the replacement of the wearing surfaces.

The provision of outboard bearings spaced from the side members If] and II makes feasible the use of roller bearings since the clearance between the end covers and shafts is closed by stuffing boxes separate from the bearings. The mix is thus prevented from entering the bearings but the seal is readily accessible at all times. The rotating elements are independent of the end covers.

The pipe coils cast in the body plates and rams permit the temperature of the mix to be con trolled as desired during various stages of the mixing operation.

Although I have illustrated and described herein but a preferred embodiment of my invention, it will be -understood thatchanges in the construction and arrangement of parts disclosed may be made without deviating from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A mixer comprising a substantially closed mixing chamber including opposed substantially semi-cylindrical walls having their axes in spaced parallel and horizontal relation and in a single plane inclined to the horizontal, upper and lower closure members slidable in a path normal to said plane and forming upper and lower walls for the chamber extending between said first-mentioned walls, said lower closure member being of larger closure area than said upper closure member, side members abutting said first-mentioned walls, parallel shafts extending through said side members and mixing blades mounted on said shafts.

2. A mixer comprising a substantially closed mixing chamber including opposed substantially semi-cylindrical walls having their axes in spaced parallel and horizontal relation and in a single plane inclined to th horizontal, side members disposed at the ends of said walls, means cooperating with said members to form a guide box on the lower side of said chamber normal to said plane, and a ram slidable in said guide box in a path normal to single plane and adapted to fill the space between said side members, and between adjacent edges of said walls and, when retracted, to permit discharge of material from said chamber.

3. A mixer comprising a substantially closed mixing chamber including opposed substantially semi-cylindrical walls having their axes in spaced parallel and horizontal relation and in a single plane inclined to the horizontal, upper and lower closure members slidable in a path normal to said plane and forming upper and lower walls for the chamber extending between said first-mentioned walls, said lower closure member being reciprocable from a position in alinement with the edges of walls to a retracted position to permit the discharge of material from said chamber.

4. A mixer comprising a substantially closed mixing chamber including two parallel substantially cylindrical compartments opening into each other along their adjacent sides and having their axes substantially parallel and horizontal and lying in a single plane inclined to the horizontal, a stirrer blade coaxially positioned in each of the said compartments, upper and lower guide boxes respectively adjacent the upper and lower sides of said compartments, reciprocal rams slidable in said guide boxes in paths normal to said single plane, said ram-s forming portions of the upper and lower walls, respectively, of said chamber, and an inlet and an outlet for the upper and lower guide boxes, respectively, said rams being respectively retractable sufliciently to permit the charging of material into the chamber through said inlet and the discharging of the contents of said chamber through said outlet.

5. A mixer comprising a substantially closed mixing chamber including two parallel substantially cylindrical compartments opening into each other along their adjacent sides and having their axes substantially parallel and horizontal and lying in a single plane inclined to the horizontal, upper and lower closure members slidable in paths normal to said single plane and forming upper and lower walls respectively for said chamber, reciprocal rams actuating said closure members, inner surfaces on said closure members adapted to be continuous with the remainder of the inner surfaces of said compartments when said closures are in closed position.

6. A mixer comprising a substantially closed mixing chamber including two parallel substantially cylindrical compartments opening into each other along their adjacent sides and having their axes substantially parallel and horizontal and lying in a single plane inclined to the horizontal, upper and lower closure members slidable in paths normal to said single plane and forming upper and lower walls for said chamber, reciprocal rams actuating said closure members, inner surfaces on said closure members adapted to be continuous with the remainder of the inner surfaces of said compartments when said closures are in closed position, said inner surface on said lower closure I member adapted to guide the discharge of the contents of said chamber when said lower closure member is in retracted position.

7. A mixer comprising a substantially closed mixing chamber, said chamber having two parallel substantially cylindrical compartments opening into each other along their adjacent sides and having their axes substantially parallel and horizontal and lying in a single plane inclined to the horizontal, a retractable ram adjacent the upper sides of said compartments and adapted to operate in a direction perpendicular to said single plane, a breaker block carried on the lower end of said ram and adapted when the ram is in advanced position to constitute the upper closure for said compartments, said breaker block projecting downwardly into and between said compartments, a second retractable ram adjacent the lower sides of said campartments and adapted to operate in a direction perpendicular to said single plane, a filler block carried on the upper end of said second retractable ram and adapted when the said second retractable ram is in advanced position to constitute the lower closure for said compartments, said filler block having a larger closure area than said breaker block, inner surfaces on said breaker block and said filler block adapted to be substantially continuous with the remainder of the saidz chamber, neciproeal: ramsv actuating; said;

closure: memiiers, removable: inner; Wearing: sun-- faces on said 010511115. members; adapted 1703 be continuousiwithx theeremainderof: the removable inner; Wearing? surfacesof" said compartments when said; closures are in closed position; and means: whereby said. removable inner wearing surfaces may be replacedwhen. suflicient wear thereof: has taken place.-

9'; A mixer comprising: a substantially cl'osed mixing chamber, said: chamber-having two para-1"- 1e'11 substantially cylindrical? compartmentsopening into each: other along their adjacent sid'es and havingtheir axes substantiallyparallel and horizontal and lying in a single plane inclined to'- the--1-ioriz0nta1"; upper and lower closure mem bers for said compartments reciprocal means 30- 8 fun actuating 'said?closure members in a direction: normal to -said single plane and: effecting closure when said: reciprocal means are in advanced: position, a sealing groove around the periphery of theclosure: surfaces of. said: closure. members, and means for fillingsaidt sealing groove. with: asealingi medium; whensaidrclosure membersare; in: closed; positiom. to, prevent; any leakage of. material; being: mixed?" in. said mixing.- chamber WENDELLL W. JONES;

REEEBENGESo GlTED The following references are of record= m the file'- of this" patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,2343526 Banbury J'u1y-24; 1917' 1,260,684 Kempter Mar; 26'; 1918- 498,986 Banbury- June 24, 1924'- 137033211 S'chmierer Feb. 26; 1929- 2,027,185 Loomis Jan. 7, 193'6 2,215,976 Robinson Sept; 24, 1940 2,351,706- Robinson June-20; 1944- FOREIGN PATENTS:

Number Country Date" 2531058 Great Britain June 1-0, 1926 552,515 Great Britain Apr. 12, 1943 Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,495,242 January 24, 1950 WENDELL W. JONES It is hereby certified that errors appear in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows:

Column 2, line 55, for ram 16 read ram 26; column 5, line 71, before the syllable and hyphen disinsert the word free; column 6, lines 63 and 64, for campartments read compartments;

and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Ofiice.

Signed and sealed this 16th day of May, A. D. 1950.

THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Commissioner of Patents, 

